Head of Procurement & Supply Planning
Location: East of England, near to Cambridge (3 days per week onsite) + regular international travel
Salary: £90,000–£110,000 + attractive bonus + car allowance + healthcare
Type: Full-time, permanent
Ready to lead integrated procurement and planning at scale within a complex international fresh produce supply chain?
About the Role
We’re supporting a market-leading fresh produce business to appoint a Head of Procurement & Supply Planning into a senior SLT position.
This is not a transactional buying role. It is integrated supply leadership — connecting retail demand, international production, grower partnerships and UK operations into a disciplined, margin-protecting, forward-looking supply system.
You’ll lead end-to-end sourcing and a integrated planning process, embedding governance, strengthening resilience, and protecting long-term competitive advantage.
Key Responsibilities
Procurement & Sourcing Strategy
- Own and deliver a 3-year sourcing roadmap
- Strengthen strategic grower partnerships across multiple international regions
- Lead cost modelling across freight, labour, packaging and yield drivers
- Mitigate geopolitical, freight, climate and supply risk
- Deliver procurement savings and margin optimisation
Integrated Planning & S&OP Leadership
- Lead the demand and supply planning cycle
- Chair Supply Review and contribute to Executive S&OP
- Improve forecast accuracy, availability and waste control
- Embed planning discipline and forward risk visibility
Financial & Governance Accountability
- Own margin performance across the category
- Improve transparency of full cost build-up by SKU
- Support pricing and inflation mitigation strategy
- Embed structured procurement governance and supplier frameworks
Leadership
- Lead and develop a team
- Drive accountability through data and structured process
- Build trusted relationships across international sourcing regions and UK operations
- Restructure and elevate the procurement & planning function
What You’ll Bring
- 8–12+ years’ senior experience within fresh produce or similair industry procurement & supply leadership
- Proven ownership of integrated S&OP processes
- Strong margin accountability and financial acumen
- Experience managing complex international supply chains
- Strategic thinker with operational credibility
- Track record of embedding structure, governance and performance discipline
Nice to Have
- Exposure to vertically integrated or farm-direct models
- Experience with sea freight optimisation
- Spanish language skills
Why Apply?
This is a rare opportunity to shape procurement and planning at a strategic level within a high-performing international fresh produce business.
You’ll sit on the SLT, influence long-term supply resilience, and lead transformation at a pivotal moment in the organisation’s journey.
If you’re a commercially sharp, internationally experienced leader ready to operate at SLT level — apply now or get in touch for a confidential discussion.